Telecom Roundup [2003-04]

The Indian Telecommunication network with 77.5 million telephone connections is the fifth largest in the world and the second largest among the emerging economies of Asia. With tele-density already approaching seven (against the target of seven by 2005), the target to achieve 15 per hundred by 2010 looks well within reach. Fiscal year 2003-04 brought .............

Indian telecom is preparing for an other big fight, similar to WLL (M) vs cellular a few years ago. But this time, the fight is not about the legality of services, but about spectrum allocation. The ball was set in motion with TRAI floating a consultation paper-Spectrum Related Issues: Efficient Utilization, , Spectrum Allocation, and Spectrum Pricing-on ........

Internet Overview [2003-04]

Telecom journey: Moving in top gear

The state-owned Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL) launched Internet Services in India in August 1995. For the first four years , VSNL was the sole provider of Internet Services in the Country. In November 1998, the Government ended VSNL’s monopoly and allowed provisioning of Internet Services by Private Operators. The Terms and Conditions of the ISP’s License we re unusually liberal with no License Fee and allowed unlimited number of players. ISPs could set their own tariffs and even their own.......

Just about a decade ago, India had only 8 million phones for a billion people — teledensity (phones per 100 persons) of 0.8 per cent. By the time this year is out, there would be around 90 million phones (9 per cent teledensity), with more than half of them using cellphones. It's not for nothing then that telecom sector ends up being the 'poster-child' of India's economic liberalisation programme. The success story is amazing , going by the teething troubles ...........